PART 1<\/p>\n
Danielle\u2019s hands shook as she read through the pages. \u201cThis is a mistake,\u201d she whispered, but the confidence she had arrived with was already disappearing. \u201cYour parents said this was handled. They said this was ours.\u201d I looked at her calmly. \u201cIt was handled,\u201d I said. \u201cBy me. With my money. And the title has my name on it. No one else\u2019s.\u201d Behind her, Tyler stood frozen, still holding a lamp as though putting it down would somehow make the situation real.<\/p>\n
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Mom suddenly began pleading. \u201cCorinne, sweetheart, we can work this out as a family.\u201d I almost laughed at the word. Family seemed to appear whenever someone needed something from me. Danielle turned toward my parents, clutching the folder. \u201cYou told us we owned it!\u201d she shouted.<\/p>\n
Dad had been silent all afternoon, staring at the floor. Finally, he raised his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never said that,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWe said we\u2019d help with a deposit. On a rental. Nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room went completely silent.<\/p>\n
THE STORY CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE… \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n